Properly researched and intelligently deployed, scenario planning is today's most powerful tool for understanding and preparing for an uncertain future. Yet it remains a niche approach, poorly understood by leaders at large. To bring it into the strategy mainstream, leaders need advice on how to turn concepts (scenarios) into actions (strategy).
Scenarios for Success delivers a unique and coherent account of the state of the scenario planning art. It is aimed particularly at those trying to implement its findings. Striking a balance between theory and practice, the contributors show how and why the core techniques of scenario thinking have endured and are still valuable, while bringing new tools and processes that keep scenario planning in touch with modern realities.
"The era of clear dangers, simple problems and predict-and-control approaches is past. Many groups and organizations are searching for more effective means to survival, continued success and strategic renewal in a context clouded by competing interests, multiple worldviews and turbulent change. As cycles of fashion in managerial practices shorten, scenario thinking and planning has endured with continued, if not increased, relevance. After over 30 years of practice, it increasingly permeates the public, private and civic sectors. Why? As various chapters of this book emphasize, this continued interest stems not from the success in building a set of alternative futures – or scenarios - per se, nor from methodological coherence. Instead, success relates to the effectiveness of scenarios as purposeful interventions aimed at organizational sense-making, innovation and development."
Dr Angela Wilkinson, Director of Scenario Planning and Futures Research, James Martin Institute for Science and Civilisation
